Platonic Lover is creating wearable art using natural yarns

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Daphne Nguyen

WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT

"Knitwear that puts emphasis on the body as a figure, to be embellished in a multitude of ways."

Inspired by the distinctive connections we share with our friends, Daisy Barrow Piper's fashion project, Platonic Lover, is a celebration of all kinds of intimacy. After taking up knitting over the pandemic, Daisy found herself enjoying the slow, laborious process that came with creating each piece. "… When creating within the framework of knitwear, the garment almost becomes an extension of one's self," she says. "One repetitive motion, for days on end, knitting a single strand of yarn into fabric."

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Crafted using yarns that echo the colours in a seascape, Platonic Lover garments are often reflective of the locations where they were created. Made to be worn in a multitude of ways, each piece of wearable art is a one-off, handmade by Daisy. "It is the relationship that I have with the yarn, its colours, textures and patterns that inspires me to want to make more," she says. "To me, handmade pieces convey an individuality and intent that is distinct from any other." Below, Daisy shares the Platonic Lover story so far.

How did the label get started?

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Platonic Lover came about during the pandemic. I was knitting quite a bit and a close friend of mine said he thought I should just keep going… [he thought] I could make it a thing. I decided to knit a body of work with 13 pieces and thanks to my mentor John Macarthur, I slowly progressed from hand knitting to machine-knitting techniques.

Knitting is a very slow and laborious process, it's not for the impatient. Not only this but each piece I create has a strong connection to the land, often reflecting the places in which I knit. If I am not in the studio, I spend a lot of time by the ocean, laying on rocks. I am constantly attempting to work the tones and colours of the seascape into the knitwear, it just makes the most sense.

What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?

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Initially, my intention with Platonic Lover knitwear was not so much to create a brand but to create a concept around the body of work I had completed. The idea of Platonic Lover stemmed from my interpersonal relationships and when creating within the framework of knitwear, the garment almost becomes an extension of one's self, one repetitive motion, for days on end, knitting a single strand of yarn into fabric.

The relationship I have with the yarn [is] analogous with my platonic lovers… it is the relationship that I have with the yarn, its colours, textures and patterns that inspires me to want to make more. To me, handmade pieces convey an individuality and intent that is distinct from any other. Platonic Lover's pieces are all created at different periods in time and reflect the different moods and environments in which I knit.

Where did the name come from?

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Platonic Lover stemmed from the deep love and connection shared in my interpersonal relationships… the feelings that hold you in awe of your lovers. A natural occurrence of humans coming together, embracing the interconnectedness that we all share.

How would you describe Platonic Lover to someone who's never seen it before?

Platonic Lover Knitwear can be viewed as a wearable art form, pieces that challenge the idea of traditional garment wearing – the idea that a top is just a top, or a skirt is just a skirt.

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Knitwear that puts emphasis on the body as a figure, to be embellished in a multitude of ways… with each piece, a different silhouette is created. The possibilities the garment takes on are dependent on how the wearer or viewer wishes to express themself and how they feel on any given day.

What are you most proud of in your work on your brand?

I never believed I would find myself knitting most days, drawing from my surroundings and continuing the tradition of knitwear as a craft and art form.

How can we buy one of your pieces?

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You can buy Platonic Lover knitwear through our website. Alternatively, if you would like to commission a piece you can send me an email or message on Instagram @platonicloverknitwear.

Browse the Platonic Lover collection here.

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